WASHINGTON-Subcommittee on Government Operations Ranking Member Jody Hice (R-Ga.) and Oversight Republicans today wrote Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger regarding concerns over voting irregularities in the State of Georgia during the 2020 election.
“The sanctity of the ballot box and the maxim ‘one person, one vote’ are paramount in a democratic society. Yet in the aftermath of the 2020 election, our constituents have genuine concerns that their vote may have been diluted by fraud, ballots that failed to comply with applicable elections laws, and ballots cast by ineligible voters. This is particularly the case for voters in Georgia," wrote the Republicans.
In the letter, the Republican members correct the Georgia Secretary of State’s assertion that voting irregularities are ‘unlikely’ to have affected the outcome of the presidential election. They write, “Fraud and illegality cannot be tolerated whether or not the outcome would be affected. Moreover, it is far from clear that the outcome in this case was unaffected, as the candidates in the presidential race in Georgia are separated by less than 13,000 votes out of almost 5 million cast in the state." In addition, they point out need to take any necessary measures to maintain the integrity of the upcoming runoff elections for the two Georgia senate seats.
The letter was also signed by Representatives Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Mark Green (R-Tenn.), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Gary Palmer (R-Ala.), Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.), and James Comer (R-Ky.).and below.
Dec. 15, 2020
The Honorable Brad Raffensperger
Secretary of State
214 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Secretary Raffensperger:
We write to express our continued concern with serious allegations of voting irregularities that occurred in the state of Georgia during the 2020 general elections, and to request a briefing from your office on its investigations into fraud or illegal activities as well as steps your office is taking to ensure the integrity of the upcoming Senate runoff elections.
The sanctity of the ballot box and the maxim “one person, one vote" are paramount in a democratic society. Yet in the aftermath of the 2020 election, our constituents have genuine concerns that their vote may have been diluted by fraud, ballots that failed to comply with applicable elections laws, and ballots cast by ineligible voters. This is particularly the case for voters in Georgia.
We are deeply troubled, as are our constituents, by reports of fraud and other irregularities, including voting by deceased or otherwise ineligible voters, voting by individuals who may permanently reside out of state, uncounted ballots discovered during audits, and inconsistently applied signature verifications to ensure that absentee ballots received by mail were indeed cast by an eligible voter in accordance with the law.
In spite of these legitimate concerns, you have denounced anyone questioning the integrity of the 2020 election or your administration of that election as conspiracy theorists peddling misinformation. Your answer to legitimate questions being raised about the integrity of the vote in Georgia appears to be that we shouldn’t worry because you have singlehandedly concluded that fraud or irregularities are “unlikely" to have affected the outcome.
Fraud and illegality cannot be tolerated whether or not the outcome would be affected. Moreover, it is far from clear that the outcome in this case was unaffected, as the candidates in the presidential race in Georgia are separated by less than 13,000 votes out of almost 5 million cast in the state.
Despite your assurances that the general election was “the most secure in history" and “a resounding success," it has been reported that your own office is investigating approximately 250 cases of election law violations in connection with the 2020 election that you have deemed to be “credible."
We therefore request that you provide us a member-level briefing as soon as possible on the administration of the Nov. 3, 2020 general election in the state of Georgia and any irregularities that have been brought to your office’s attention. Your briefing should also provide information on how your office initiates and handles investigations of elections crimes, particularly as they relate to the November 2020 general election, as well as an explanation of your intentions to ensure the January runoff election is secure from fraud and irregularities.
Please contact Committee staff at (202) 225-5074 to schedule the briefing by Dec. 22, 2020. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this matter.
Sincerely,
Jody Hice, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Government Operations
Glenn S. Grothman, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on National Security
Michael Cloud, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy
Chip Roy, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Mark E. Green, M.D., Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Environment
Jim Jordan
Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S.
Thomas H. Massie
Gary Palmer
Bob Gibbs
Clay Higgins
Ralph W. Norman
Kelly M. Armstrong
Gregory Steube
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